Altice USA is introducing the Smart WiFi home-based intelligent WiFi platform in its New York Tri-State area Optimum-branded footprint. The provider’s Suddenlink properties will follow “soon,” the company says.
Smart WiFi is designed to seamlessly and simultaneously connect multiple devices with the strongest signal possible.
“Powerful connectivity has become a core component of any home environment, and the introduction of Smart WiFi to the Altice One experience brings our in-home broadband to the next level in terms of coverage, ease of use, and reliability,” Hakim Boubazine, Altice USA’s president of telecommunications and chief operating officer, said in a press release. “Bringing Smart WiFi intelligent mesh technology to our Optimum and Suddenlink customers ensures that they are always connected to blazing fast WiFi and the strongest signal possible, providing more choice and flexibility in how and where they use their connected devices.”
The platform has four main attributes, according to the company:
- Simplified network connection with just one network name, eliminating the need for users to manually select between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz options.
- Intelligent band and access point steering to provide the best possible connection for devices anywhere in the home.
- Mesh network technology to boost signal and eliminate dead zones. The system uses optional smart extenders to provide a scalable solution for any home layout.
- Advanced traffic management for streaming and gaming from anywhere in the home simultaneously on multiple devices.
The home network is an increasingly complex and important venue for providers. The amount of money on the table is growing through services such as home automation and security. Of course, the amount of bandwidth necessary to support the new and existing services also is increasing.
Earlier this month, C Spire announced a partnership with Plume on a Smart WiFi platform aimed at eliminating dead spots in the home.
Comcast chimed in with two announcements. The provider said that xFi Advanced Security would be free to customers leasing its xFi gateway. Comcast also said that its multi-Gigabit, WiFi 6-capable xFi Advanced Gateway will begin reaching customers in the coming months.
These and other announcements speak to the promise and challenges of servicing home networks. At some point, it is likely that the relationship between WiFi and 5G will need to be reckoned with. It seems unlikely, however, that 5G will supplant WiFi in the home, though the two approaches may battle for supremacy elsewhere.
